"you now report 22551 for what was traditionally reported with 63075/22554. You would report 63075 or 22554 if performed at different levels."

If I have different levels, you would STILL report 22554 and 63075-51, but if both are done at the 'same' level, you would use 22551?

Thank you,

Susan

22551 is a newer code, created in 2011. Prior to that, if an ACDF was performed at a single level, you would report 63075 and 22554. Since 2011, if an ACDF is performed at a single level, you report 22551 only. 63075 and 22554 both still exist for use when discectomy and arthrodesis are not performed together, but cannot be used together if both are performed at the same level; this would be bundling.

Hi all!
I've read a gabillion (ok, not that many, ha!) of these posts and am still confused. Below is the pertinent potion of the medical record I'm reviewing and I can't tell if my Dr. can or can't code the way he is.
The codes submitted to the payer were, although I'm not going to type the entire record (The important piece to me is the 63075, 63076, 22554 combo):

63075,
63076-59,
22554-59,
22585-59,
22845-59,
22851-59,
and 22851-59

"Large anterior spurs were removed with rongeur and skinny muscles were gently dissected laterally to lateral portion of the disk. A large anterior annular window was made in the C5-C6 and subsequently C6-C7 disk space. The disk was removed as completely as possible with pituitary rongeurs, curettes, and then high speed bur was used to remove the cartilaginous cortical endplates at each level. Curette was used to explore the foramen and decompress it gently and then a 2-0 cervical Kerrisons were used to remove the posterior endplates, particularly at C5-C6 level is more spondylytic, right side more than left side and the foramen was opened bilaterally C5-C6 and left C6-C7. The disk herniation was identified and removed at left C6-C7 and posterior longitudinal ligament was take down of the left C7 to identify the dura and complete decompression of left foramen C6-C7 level............"

I feel that's the pertinent components, and if not, please let me know. Is he correct in wanting to be paid for 22554-59/63075/63076-59?

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